Monterey County Dog Leash Laws

Monterey County is one of the most beautiful locations in the world. We are lucky to live here, and so are the dogs that we love and make part of our families. You can’t spend time in this area without seeing people out and about with their dogs, having fun and enjoying the scenery. Dogs are a part of our lives.

While this is important, it’s equally important that we keep our dogs safe from dangers. One of the best ways to do this is by way of Monterey County dog leash and running at large laws. If you’d like to know what the law is that governs your community, click on the appropriate location below. You’ll be taken to the text of the applicable law and a link that provides you with more information.

Monterey County Dogs Running at Large Law

The Monterey County dog leash laws apply to all unincorporated areas of the county.

Monterey County Dogs Running at Large Law Text:

Title 8, Chapter 8.20, Section 8.20.010 – Prohibited.

A. It is unlawful for any person owning or having charge, care or control of any dog, whether licensed or not, to allow or permit any such dog to be at-large within the unincorporated territory of the County of Monterey. A violation of this Subsection shall be an infraction.

(Ord. 3629, 1992)

Carmel-by-the-Sea Running at Large Law

Carmel-by-the-Sea Dogs Running at Large Law Text:

Chapter 6.08, Section 6.08.015 Animals in Residential Districts.

A. Running at Large Unlawful. It is unlawful within the residential zones of the City (R-4 and R-1 districts) for the owner of any dog or other animal, or person having charge or control over said dog or animal, whether licensed or unlicensed, to suffer, permit or allow said dog or other animal to run at large on any public street, alley, park, square or place, or on any vacant or unenclosed lots or land, or on any developed private property without the consent of the owner, occupant or tenant of the property.

B. Running at Large Defined. A dog or other animal shall be deemed “running at large” within the meaning of this chapter unless under voice command as defined herein, or led or restrained by a chain, strap or cord attached to its collar and which is actually held by some person or made fast so some stationary object. A dog shall be deemed “under voice command” only if: 1) the owner of the dog or person having charge or control over the dog has on her/his person or attached to the dog a chain, strap or cord enabling the person to quickly put the dog on leash; 2) the dog is not more than 25 feet from the person at any time; 3) the dog will return to within three feet of the person upon command; and 4) the dog will remain within three feet of the person when other persons or animals are present. If any of these four criteria are not met, a dog shall not be deemed under voice command and, unless on leash, shall be deemed to be running at large.

(Ord. 82-10 § 1, 1982; Code 1975 § 630.01)

Del Rey Oaks Running at Large Law

Del Rey Oaks Running at Large Law Text:

Chapter 6.04, Section 6.04.020 – Running at large unlawful.

It is unlawful for any person owning or having charge, care or control of any dog, whether licensed or vaccinated or not, to suffer, allow or permit any such dog to run at large on any public street, road, alley, school yard, park, square, or place, or on any vacant or unenclosed, or on any occupied or improved, lots or land within the incorporated territory of the city. A dog shall be deemed running at large within the meaning of this section unless it is led or restrained by a chain, strap or cord not greater than eight feet in length attached to its collar and which is actually held by some person or made fast to some stationary object. Provided further, that all dogs, with the exception of a seeing eye dog when accompanied by the handicapped owner, shall be prohibited at all times, whether running at large or not, from the city park except for the access road thereof.

(Ord. 226 § 1, 1993: prior code § 8-302)

Gonzales Running at Large Law

Gonzales Running at Large Law Text:

CHAPTER 7.20, § 7.20.010 ANIMALS RUNNING AT LARGE:

It is unlawful for any person owning or having charge, care or control of any animal, domestic or wild, including dogs and cats, whether licensed and vaccinated, to suffer or permit such animal to run at large within the city. An animal shall be deemed to run “at large”, within the meaning of this section, unless it is led or restrained by appropriate means, or actually held by some person, or attached by some means to a stationary object, or is on the property of its owner and is prohibited in some manner from leaving that property except under the direct control of the owner. A violation of this section is an infraction.

(1972 Code § 7.20.008)

Greenfield Dogs Running at Large Law

Greenfield Dogs Running at Large Law Text:

Chapter 6.10, § 6.10.040 Dogs running at large.

It is unlawful for any person owning or having charge, care or control of any dog to suffer or permit any such dog to run at large within the city. A dog shall be deemed to be running at large unless the following applies:

A. The dog is restrained by a leash held by some person or made fast to some stationary object; or confined within a cage or other dog-tight enclosure;

B. The dog is on the property of its owner and confined to said property by fence or other type of enclosure or made fast to some stationary object within the property, other than roads, streets, alleys or any public sidewalk, park or other public property.

(Formerly 6.08.090; Ord. 241 § 1(part), 1981; Ord. 490 § 2 (Exh. B)(part), 2010; Ord. 531 Exh. A(part), 2018)

King City Dogs Running at Large Law

King City Dogs Running at Large Law Text:

Chapter 9.08, § 9.08.010 Running at large is prohibited.

(a) It is unlawful for any person owning or having charge, care or control of any dog, whether licensed or not, to allow or permit any such dog to run at large, within the city. A dog shall be deemed to be running at large unless the following applies:

(1) The dog is restrained by a leash held by some person or made fast to some stationary object; or confined within a cage or other dog-tight enclosure; or

(2) On the private property of its owner, excluding all roads, streets, alleys or ways over which other persons have a right to pass, and restrained by a fence or other barrier from leaving said private property; or

(3) In a city owned facility designated as a dog park where dogs are permitted to run at large within a designated fenced area.

(Ord. 246 § 6, 1956; Ord. 397 § 1, 1978; Ord. 756 § 3, 2018)

Marina Dogs Running at Large Law

Marina Dogs Running at Large Law Text:

Chapter 6.04, Section 6.04.030 Dogs running at large.

It is unlawful for any person owning or having charge, care or control of any dog, whether licensed and vaccinated or not, to suffer or permit any such dog to run at large on any public street, road, alley, park, square or place, or on any vacant or unenclosed lots or land within the incorporated area of the city.

(Ord. 76-8 § 3, 1976)

Monterey Dogs Running at Large Law

Monterey Dogs Running at Large Law Text:

Chapter 6, Article 2, Sec. 6-10. Dogs running at large prohibited.

It shall be unlawful for any person having the charge, care, or control of any dog, whether licensed and vaccinated or not, to suffer or permit any such dog to run at large on any public or private property within the City.

All dogs shall be deemed running at large within the meaning of this Section unless led or restrained by a chain, strap, rope, or cord attached to their collars or harness and actually held by some person or made fast to some stationary object.

This Section does not apply to police dogs or dogs used by the City to control wildlife in public areas, during the time such dogs are engaged in these permitted activities. In addition, this Section does not apply to dogs located on private property enclosed by a fence or similar structure of which the owner of the dog has lawful possession, ownership or control, nor shall it apply to dog parks.

(Ord. 3472 § 5, 2012; Ord. 3392, 2007)

Pacific Grove Dogs Running at Large Law

Pacific Grove Dogs Running at Large Law Text:

Title 10, Chapter 10.04, Section 10.04.020 Running at large.

(a) Except in those areas designated in PGMC 14.08.030 where dogs may run at large at times listed in that section, it is unlawful for any person owning or having charge, care or control of any dog, whether licensed and vaccinated or not, to suffer or permit any such dog to run at large on any public street, road, alley, park, square or place, or on any vacant or unenclosed lot or land within the city. A dog shall be deemed running at large unless led or restrained by a leash not exceeding six feet in length attached to the dog’s collar or harness and actually held by a person or made fast to a stationary object.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section a violation of this section shall be an infraction, and may be enforced pursuant to Chapter 1.16 PGMC.

(c) Second and subsequent violations of this section within a one-year period shall be misdemeanors, and may be enforced pursuant to Chapter 1.16 PGMC.

[Ord. 08-006 § 22, 2008; Ord. 1996 N.S. § 1, 1995; Ord. 1684 N.S. § 1, 1989; Ord. 1515 N.S. § 2, 1986].

Salinas Animals at Large Law

Salinas Animals at Large Law Text:

Article I, Sec. 7-1. – Animals at large prohibited; “at large” defined.

It shall be unlawful for the owner, or for any person having charge, care or control of any dog or other animal, whether vaccinated or not, to allow such dog or other animal to run at large at any time at any place in the city. For purposes of this section “at large” is defined as off the premises of the person owning, or having charge, care, or control of the animal. All dogs or other animals shall be deemed to be running “at large” unless restrained by a chain, strap or cord attached to their collars and actually held by a person capable of exercising physical restraint or confined within an appropriately enclosed yard, cage or other secure and animal appropriate enclosure, such as an electrified fence or an electronic fence. This section shall not apply to domesticated cats. For purposes of this chapter “enclosure” is defined as a fence or a structure suitable to prevent the entry of young children and which is suitable to confine a potentially dangerous or a vicious dog with other measures, which may be taken by the owner or the keeper of the dog. The enclosure shall be designed to prevent the animal from escaping.

(Ord. No. 1084 (NCS), § 3; Ord. No. 1750 (NCS), § 1; Ord. No. 1885 (NCS), § 1; Ord. No. 2402 (NCS), § 1)

(Ord. No. 2526 (NCS), § 1, 11-15-2011)

Sand City Dogs Running at Large Laws

Sand City Dogs Running at Large Laws Text:

Chapter 6.08:
§ 6.08.010 Prohibited.

It is unlawful for any person owning or having charge, care or control of any dog, whether licensed and vaccinated or not, to suffer or permit any such dog to run at large on any public street, road, alley, schoolyard, park, square or place, or on any vacant or unenclosed lots or land within the City limits.

(Ord. 61-20 §2; Ord. 70-67 §2)

§ 6.08.020 Running at Large Defined.

All dogs shall be deemed running at large within the meaning of this chapter unless led or restrained by a chain, strap or cord attached to their collars or harness and actually held by some person or made fast to some stationary object; except during such times as the dog may be being actually trained for obedience or field in accordance with accepted standards of such trainer.

(Ord. 61-20 §8)

Seaside Dogs Running at Large Law

Seaside Dogs Running at Large Law Text:

Title 6, Section 6.04.110 Dogs or other animals running at large – Prohibited.

It is unlawful for the owner or the person having care, custody or control of any dog or other animal, whether licensed or unlicensed, to suffer, permit or allow such dog or other animal to run at large on any public street, alley, park, square or other public place, or on any vacant or unenclosed lots of land within the corporate limits of the city or on the private property of another person without first obtaining permission therefor from the owner or occupant of said private property. Any dogs or other animals shall be deemed to be running at large within the meaning of this section unless such dog or other animal is led or restrained by a chain, strap, cord or leash attached to its collar or harness, and actually held by some person or made fast to some stationary object.

(Ord. 766 § 1, 1989; Ord. 511 § 3, 1978; prior code § 8-809)

Soledad Dogs Running at Large Law

Soledad Dogs Running at Large Law Text:

Chapter 6.12, Section 6.12.090 – Dogs running at large.

It is unlawful for any person owning or having charge, care or control of any dog, whether licensed and vaccinated or not, to suffer or permit any such dog to run at large within the city. A dog is running at large unless it is (A) restrained by a leash held by some person or made fast to some stationary object, or (B) confined within a cage or other dog-tight enclosure, or (C) accompanied by a person and is sufficiently trained to be reliably responsive to the recall company and control of the person, or (d) on the property of its owner other than roads, streets, alleys or ways over which other persons have a right to pass. A violation of this section is an infraction.

(Prior code § 3-16)